Monthly Archives: October 2018

Endorsement watch: Patrick and Patrick-lite

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Now that the Chron has done an endorsement in every race of interest, I’m going to try to catch up on them, by group if not by individual race. We’ll start with the race for Lt. Governor, where there was … Continue reading →

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Interview with Mayor Turner

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

We finish up our interviews for the 2018 election season with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and a conversation about city propositions A and B. Prop A, which has largely flown under the radar, is the update to Renew Houston intended … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

On the air

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

You might be seeing some TV ads from Texas Democrats who aren’t Beto O’Rourke or Lizzie Fletcher. There’s Justin Nelson: Attorney Justin Nelson, a candidate for attorney general, on Tuesday became the first — and likely only — Democrat running … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Of course it’s Beto

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron finally corrects an old and egregious error. With eyes clear but certainly not starry, we enthusiastically endorse Beto O’Rourke for U.S. Senate. The West Texas congressman’s command of issues that matter to this state, his unaffected eloquence and … Continue reading →

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Early voting for November 2018 starts today

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Study the long November 6, 2018 Election ballot to ensure you make the right choices when voting,”  said Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, encouraging voters to visit www.HarrisVotes.com  and select “Find your Poll and Ballot” to review their personal sample … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for October 21

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

“The rules of being a conservative woman in politics require you to never consider yourself the victim of sexual assault. Victimhood, according to this principle, is a liberal complex.” Yeah, there’s no way I’d trust Facebook to provide a secure … Continue reading →

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Yeah, we’re still talking about the risk to our elections

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

And when we talk about these things, we talk to Dan Wallach. When we think about those who defend the territorial integrity of our nation and state, we tend to imagine well-equipped members of the U.S. armed forces, or perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Babygate, 25 years later

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, I remember this. Remember Babygate? Scot Cooper Williams came into this world Oct. 16, 1993 and was the center of a firestorm 24 hours later. His father David, an offensive tackle for the Houston Oilers, had missed the team’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Incumbency is no advantage, part 3

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Remember when Land Commissioner George P. Bush was considered a rising star? The Chronicle does. Four years ago we enthusiastically endorsed George P. Bush for land commissioner. We said he was “the real deal.” Turns out, we were really off. … Continue reading →

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Hotze and the judges

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From family law attorney Greg Enos, who publishes a legal blog/newsletter called The Mongoose (I’ve referenced him here before): Real Journalists Should Investigate How Republican Judges Are Funneling Money to Hotze’s Hate Group I am a full-time lawyer and only … Continue reading →

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The problem with the revenue cap, in two short paragraphs

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

From the Chron: The average homeowner has saved a cumulative $436 thanks to the rate adjustments driven by the revenue cap since 2014, an average of $87 per year. The same adjustments have prevented the city from collecting $533 million … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Endorsement watch: Incumbency is no advantage, part 2

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron lays down a marker on the county criminal courts. Each election cycle we determine our judicial endorsements by interviewing the candidates, researching their backgrounds, consulting with experts and coming to a conclusion about who best would be able … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Tanya Garrison

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

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Interview with Scott Cubbler

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

If you’ve followed this blog in election seasons, you know that while I interview all comers in odd numbered years, I generally (with rare exceptions) limit myself to Democratic candidates in even numbered years. I’m a Democratic precinct chair, and … Continue reading →

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Trump’s slightly less tiny Ted rally

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s true what they say, size does matter. President Donald Trump’s rally Monday in Houston with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has been moved to a bigger venue. Originally set to take place at the NRG Arena, the event will now … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Endorsement watch: Incumbency is no advantage, part 1

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

A trio of Congressional endorsements, beginning with Steven David in CD08: A Democratic candidate hasn’t run for the 8th Congressional District since 2012, so no doubt this will be an uphill battle. Nevertheless, voters should back challenger Steven David for … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Donna Roth

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

What are your turnout scenarios?

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I keep thinking about this: County Clerk Stan Stanart predicts up to a million Harris County residents could be casting ballots in a string of hotly-contested races. As you’ve heard me say many times, the Democrats’ main issue in off … Continue reading →

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Still obstacles to voting at Prairie View

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The previous problems we talked about are resolved, at least for now, but it’s still harder to vote at PVAMU than it needs to be. Denise Mattox, president of the Waller County Democratic Club, called the new rules a “treatment” … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of October 15

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready for voting to begin as it brings you this week’s roundup.

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Interview with Marty Lancton

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, there are two city ballot propositions for your consideration. The one that has gotten the most attention by far is Proposition B, the firefighters pay parity proposal. I consider it a core function of this blog to … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Judicial Q&A: Sarah Beth Landau

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Trump’s tiny Texas rally for Ted

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Aww, how cute. President Donald Trump will make good on his promise to help Texas Republican Ted Cruz, announcing plans to hold a large rally next Monday night in Houston. The Trump campaign on Monday said the next stop on … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Another easy decision

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Remember how I said the Chron’s endorsement of Kim Olson over Sid Miller was the easiest call they’d have to make this cycle? The one true competitor for that title is the AG race, where Justin Nelson is a LeBron-level … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Chuck Silverman

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for Democratic judicial candidates. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to my readers. I am running these responses in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Chron profiles both County Judge candidates

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good story on Lina Hidalgo. First-time candidate Lina Hidalgo hopes Harris County voters frustrated with what she says is poor leadership on flood control and criminal justice reform will help her defeat longtime County Judge Ed Emmett. Hidalgo, 27, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2018 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Trustees apologize for Saavedra/Lathan mess

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a start. Houston ISD trustees on Monday offered a public apology to students, parents and teachers for their behavior the past 10 months, particularly the chaotic meeting last week when a faction of the board surprised their colleagues and … Continue reading →

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Army Corps to present Ike Dike options

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

About time. Later this month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will recommend a multi-billion-dollar plan to help protect the Texas coast — the Houston area in particular — from hurricanes. When it will become a reality, however, is anyone’s … Continue reading →

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Interview with Kim Olson

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

I think we can all agree that the competition for worst elected official in Texas is fierce, but any list of contenders would include Ag Commissioner Sid Miller. Miller’s list of idiocy, incompetence, and intolerance is too much to even … Continue reading →

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World’s worst pastors file suit against Austin’s equal rights ordinance

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Exactly what you’d expect from these jerks. A Houston-based religious nonprofit behind the so-called bathroom bill is suing the City of Austin over its anti-discrimination hiring ordinance. The U.S. Pastor Council filed suit in a federal district court late last … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Prairie View voting dispute resolved

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Good news. Prairie View A&M University students will not have to fill out additional registration paperwork before casting their ballots, a move that allays the concerns of Democrats who worried long lines would dissuade students from voting. The news, announced … Continue reading →

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Saavedra out

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Whiplash. Trustees are expected to announce Monday that interim superintendent Grenita Lathan will remain at the helm of the Houston Independent School District, an attempt to diffuse fallout from a contentious 5-4 vote last Thursday that was preceded by shouting … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Weekend link dump for October 14

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Yeah, maybe Kobe Bryant is not someone we should want to associate with. “Carbon Dioxide Is Shriveling Men’s Balls“. Just FYI. Welcome to the table, Taylor. Better late than never. Oh God, now we have to worry about our damn … Continue reading →

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CD31 “live poll” Carter 53, Hegar 38

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Charles Kuffner

Not a great result in CD31, where Democratic challenger MJ Hegar and her fundraising and amazing vidoes have moved this race against Rep. John Carter into lean-Republican territory on multiple forecasters’ lists, with two minor caveats and one addendum. Nate … Continue reading →

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